The new blankie

Oh how I miss my blankie, so warm and snuggly. I never felt alone as a child. Fortunately, as an adult I have my cellphone. Cellphones are the adult version of a blankie, security in the palm of your hand. As you sit on the train or basically anywhere in public, notice the amount of people on their cellphones. Are they really in demand or do they not want to be perceived as being alone? I have done it before, searched for someone to call. How about you? Have you found yourself pulling out your cellphone to mask that lonely feeling? Possibly on a train or even at home? Have you ever seen the cellphone effect in action? Watch as one person pulls out their cellphone, then another, and another, and so on...like drones. I have a tendecy to become attached to my cellphone and also to detest it...depends on self-time. I set it down when I have not had enough time to myself, which is usually more times than not.

Philosophy II

For some, adhere to these words and you will thank me..."So many people tiptoe through life, so carefully, to arrive safely at death." Or the more personal version being," I refuse to tiptoe through life just to arrive safely at death." The former describing many people and the latter being what many aspire too. Whatever the reasoning, to never challenge your position, nor turn your back on fear, limits the scope of a person's existence. When it is all said and done, life is essentially a culmination of moments, whether good or bad, they will be what is remembered as we take our last breath. It is up to the individual to ensure that breath is not of regret, but of contentment. It beckons to the small measure of recklessness needed to live an unlikely life.

Socks

When it comes to clothing it is a woman's world. Go to the mall with the wife or girlfriend and prepare to hold her purse while she trots from store to store. As men, our style options are limited. As far as business attire, I hope you are not afraid of tight spaces because there is no room to break out. My closet is like a box of 64 crayons and I still look like everyone else at work. One area of relief is socks. Yes, socks are our saviour. Ok, a little dramatic, but socks can add a nice twist to any ensemble and/or be a means of expression. Where to find socks? Try Ebay, Marshalls, Macys, or any other discounter. If you wear them, they will come.

Getting Older

I just recently turned 31, as of Jan. 26th of this year. And I know many of us have negative feelings about getting older, but it has been an favorable experience for me. I am thoroughly enjoying growing into my own; the confidence, the knowledge, the patience, the stability, and the desire to make everything count. Oh, one more thing, the weight! For years I hovered between 250 and 300 lbs. Now, I float between 245 and 254 lbs., a much smaller fluctutation. It has definitely improved my outlook on purchasing clothes. If you know like I know, 20 lbs. is a size up, which makes purchasing a shirt difficult. I would literally have two wardrobes, smaller Karleton and larger Karleton. Now, its stable Karleton, which allows me to spend a little money on clothing that compliments my frame. This getting old shit isn's so bad. Of course, I could do without the gray hair, but Walgreens has me covered.

Philosophy

Lately, I have become a fan of Stoicsm, specifically Roman Stoicism. By definition, stoic is definied as one who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain. Which leads some of us to believe Stoics as being boring, emotionless individuals, but this is far from the truth. Historically, Stoic practice is to enjoy life, but to not be controlled by its pleasures. Drink and enjoy, but do not become a drunkard. Eat and taste, but do not obssess about food. Stoicism, as it seems, is about control of oneself as not to be controlled by worldly temptations, grief, pain or some other arbitrary power. Additionally, Stoics were devout believers in having a sense of joy and tranquility. I will speak further as my own awareness and practice deepens.

A Big and Tall Tree

Most of us have taken part in nonsensical quizzes that pose questions asking,"what type of animal are you?" And of course most of us relate to lions, tigers, and bears, OH MY! Anyway, I relate to something different, trees. And no, I am not a squirrel, but I do have an affection for trees. Trees have seen us come, go, and start over again. Very stoic in nature, a stalhworth, yet poetically giving life. Imagine what an old, large oak tree has survived and saw in its span of life,

yet speaks nothing of it, just continues to support and give. Trees are free from what ails us, selfishness.

The pics above are of a picture that hangs in my office above my desk. Notice the tree stands alone, no need for the security that compromise and assimilation brings. Live Free

Ironically, she said it best

Consider this, as spoken by Jane Hirshfield," fear, habits, and laziness conspire to keep us comfortably within the familiar." Now, the familiar could be many things, but whatever it is it never changes. And we all know what that state of affairs leads to....nothing.